Apparatus for the purification of water



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APPARATUS Fon um unmgxolg j 'www Filed ugf; 4 SheVecs-Shee?f 1 NVENTDR Jan. 14, 1936. P. R. GIRAUD APPARATUS FOR THE PURIFICATION OF WATER 4 sheets-smet 3 Filed Aug. 25, .1934A Jan. 14, 1936. P. R. GIRAUD 2,027,475

APPARATUS FOR THE PURIFICATION OF WATER Filed Aug. 25, 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 40 v .f2 Q Q Zi; c: O C 1,

IwuENTF's P, R,

' Jan. 14, 1936. P, R, G|RAUD I. 2,027,475

APPARATUS FOR THE PURIFICATION 0F WATER FiledAug 25,1954 4 sheets-sheet 4 L k Pw W N n M & a@ 7l E llllil. \v

Patented Jan. 14, 1936 APPARATUS Foa THE rURmcATIoN oF WATER Pierre Ren Giraud, Paris, France, assignor to Societe dEtude pour IEpuration des Eaux Proceds G. et B., Paris, France, a company of France Application August 25, 1934, Serial No. 7.41500 In France September 2, 1933 4 Claims. (Cl. 210-196) It is known that, in order to obtain desirable results in the purification of water, it is advantageous to perform this purification in two steps, to wit:

1. A mechanical purification of'water produc- Y ing by filtration a preliminary clarication;

l 2. A biological or bacterial purification tained by oxydation of water.

The object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for performing, without Aoccupying too muchspace, the -flrst step above mentioned, that is to say the mechanical purification, and also' the constant and continuous unclogging of the filtering matters, with a drying of the recovered residues of these matters.

Another object of the invention is to obtain a beginning of nitrification which will stop the putrescent fermentation so that, in some cases of relatively small pollution, the water treated can be directly poured back into a river after passing through the filtering beds.

For this purpose, according to the present invention, the water to be treated is distributed, after 'havingv been atomized and in the 'state of liquid sheets, over a filtering bed which is given a continuous translatory motion, said water then passing successively through a second and a third filtering bed and being nally collected and conveyed to the place where it is to be used. The matters that form the first and second beds are clogged and charged with impurities after this treatment, they are therefore suitably dried and regenerated and can thus serve for an unlimited period of time.

According to an embodiment of' the present invention, the first ltering bed, or upper bed, consists of a layer of clinker or an analogous material, carried by a series of elements having a perforated bottom, suitably jointed to one another so as to form a chain conveyor which can be driven at a very slow speed. The clinker or other suitable filtering material is fed at .one

end into these elements and withdrawn ,there--V are poured into a hole where they are caught by a conveyor and conveyed to a sorting cylinder which eliminates, together with the mud that has been driven along, the parts of the filtering matter that are oftoo small a size. The remainder of the filtering matter is brought to a. place where it is/fed back into the elements of the first mentioned conveyor.

The apparatus or plant according to the present invention therefore includes a group of devices for clarifying water which chain conveyor and the filtering comprises the tanks, and a group yof devices for drying and regenerating the filtering material.

A preferred embodiment of the tion will be hereinafter described,

present inven- 15 with reference to the accompanying drawings, given merely by way of example, and in which:

Fig. l is a general view of the plant-according to the present invention for purifying water;

Fig. 2 is a sectionalrview on the line 2-72 of Fig. 1, on an enlarged scale;

Fig. 3 is a detail view on an enlarged scale of a device for distributing the water to be treated in the apparatus;

Fig. 4 is a plan view, on a reduced scale, of

the apparatus of Fig. 3;

The two parts of the apparatus according to the present invention will be hereinafter described successively:

1. Clarifying group This group, as shown by Figs. sists of three superposed filtering able thickness and composition.

.1 and 2, constages of suit- The first stage 'I preferably consists of a bed of clinker.

The second stage also consists of a bed of clinker, but its thickness is twice that vof the first bed. Finally, the third bed 3, of a thickness substantially equal to that of the first bed., advantageously consists of a bed of int suitably crushed and especially intended to eliminate colloidal matters.

Water to be purified is brought through conn duit 4\to.a series of distributing el ements 5, each of..these elements comprising a series of tubes 6 each'provided at its end with a small turbine or the equivalent 1, the detailed structure of 50 which will be fully described hereinafter with reference to Figs. 3 and 4, and which is intended to spray the water to be distributed in the form of a circular sheet.

' These distributing elements ext end across the 55 whole width of the filtering bed i and they are disposed as shown by Fig. l in. such manner as to distribute water over about one third of the length of the filtering bed.

The filtering layer of the rst bed is disposed in a series of supports or elements 8 consisting each of a perforated bottom 9 (or a grid) ex tending over the whole width of the filtering bed and completed by two cheeks or side plates I0 made of sheet metal of suitable shape so that the side plates of one element 8 over lap the side plates of the adjacent element, as shown by Fig. l. v

Each of these elements 8 is provided with rollers Il adapted to run along a track i2 and the whole of the elements and of .this track is arranged to form an endless-chain conveyor which can be given a continuous translatory motion in the direction of arrow F (Fig. l).

According to a preferred embodiment, this rnotion is obtained through a series of driving shafts I3 simultaneously driven for instance by means of a chain acting on toothed wheels such as i4;

These shafts I3, which are suitably distributed over the path of travel of the endless chain formed by elements 8 are provided with two rollers I5 the periphery of which is milled or otherwise provided with projections and constantly applied against a rail i8 fixed to the bottom of each element 8. These elements 8 are driven by friction, the rollers being for instance made of bronze and the parts that form rail i6 being then made of fiber or any other similar material.

In order to ensure a constant friction, each of vthese shafts i3 is supported in a sliding journal provided with springs tending constantly to apply the driving rollers against rails i6.

Filtering stages 2 and 3, which are similar to each other, with the exception of the nature of the filtering matter, are arranged in a dierent manner.

Each of the beds or stages 2 and 3 is constituted by a series of tanks i1 the bottom i8 of which is provided with a grid. 'I'hese tanks are provided with rollers i8 adapted to run along rails 2li so as to permit the transverse displacement of the-tanks so as to bring them on platforms 2i, 22. These displacements in the direction of arrow If'1 or in the opposite direction can be performed by means of capstans 23 (Fig. 2).

The last filtering stage or bed 3 is disposed above a kind of basin 24 intended to collect the water that has passed successively through the three filtering beds i, 2 and 3, and to convey this water to the exhaust conduits 25.

Between two successive filtering beds, and at least between the first bed i and the second bed 2, it may be advantageous to dispose, at the place where the water to be clarified is distributed, shallow tanks 2S the bottoms of which are provided with holes (Figs. l and 2), in order to suitably distribute amongst several adjacent tanks I1 the water that is dripping from the first filtering bed i. i

Each of these tanks i1 may contain compartments 21, of a length' equal to the width of the filtering beds and disposed as shown in dotted lines in Fig. l. A travelling crane 38 is provided above platforms 2|, 22 and its function with respect to the utilization of compartments 21 will behereinafter fully explained.

It has been above stated that the water to be clarified was distributed through a series of tubes 5 provided with small turbines i which serve to atomize Water. Figs. 3 and 4 show an embodiment of these turbines.

The Water to be distributed is conveyed through the'distributing element which carries a certain number of these nozzles. Each nozzle is provided with a'groove 23 in which is fixed, through a bayonet joint 30, a tubular piece 3| surrounded by a sleeve 32 provided with apertures 33 vand provided, in its intermediate part, with a collar 34 forming a groove 35 in which is housed a ball thrust bearing 35 carried by the hub 3f! of the three blade propeller 38 which constitutes the turbine.

At the lower part of the turbine, a second.

thrust bearing 3S completes the structure and ensures a perfect positioning of the turbine with respect to its support, on which it is maintained by a nut 40 and its check-nut we which is provided with a square-shaped hole ab permitting the driving thereof.

The propeller consists, as shown by Fig. 3 and 4 of three blades 38 disposed on a circular prolonged portion 4i of the hub, with which they are preferably integral. This part iii is of conical shape and is provided with holes 42. The blades, which are provided, along their upper edge, with curved portions 43, further carry small ribs M arranged to be struck by Water distributed through apertures 5 provided in sleeve 32, thus automatically producing the' other hand owing to the rotation of the turbine which projects said water in the form of a circular sheet onto the rst ltering bed i.

Openings 33 permit the infiow o! air which is sucked in bythe flow of water through tubular element 3l. This air mixes with water and the mixture facilitates the oxidation of the matters contained in water; This oxidation is further improved by the atomization of water by the turbine.

In the case where the water that is treated has undergone no preliminary treatment, it is advantageous to, make use of a mechanically operated grid, of a known type, which will be interposed between the water inlet and the water distributing devices. This grid, which 2. Drying group The drying device essentially comprises a hollow cylinder consisting of an envelope 50, made of a screen or of perforated metal, supported by frame elements 5i.

it both of its ends, this cylinder is provided with envelopes made of sheet metal, as shown at 52 and 53. This cylinder, which is inclined on the horizontal direction., is completed by helical ribs. provided on the one hand on the outside of the perforated envelope, as shown at 55, and on the other hand on the inside of this envelope as shown at 55. These helical ribs are wound in the same direction. This cylinder is mounted in a structure of masonry constituttheir drying action'. At the end of the cylinder is the base 59 of a chamber 60 arranged to stir the gases. The gases are expelled from this chamber through forced draught and- .escape through chimney 6|. A partition 62 disposed parallelly to the cylinder leads the gases toward the end of the cylinder through which they enter it, these gas following the path indicated by arrows 63 and owing out through flue 58.

The matters to be dried are are fed through a conduit 64 and penetrate into cylinder/50. Due to the rotation of this cylinder, ribs 55 progressively bring the matter toward the end 53. where they arev evacuated through conduit 65.

In the course of their'- passage through thecylinder, the matters are suitably dried by the hot conveyor 61 which brings them to a sortingonto partition 62.

gases flowing through said cylinder. In the course of this drying, it may happen that some matter, such in particular as mud, pass through the perforated envelope of the cylinder and fall These matters are then conveyed toward the furnace through the action of the outer helical rib 54. 'Ihey constitute a supplement of fuel, of relatively little value, it is true but nevertheless interesting (from 1,200 to 1,800 calories). The end parts of the cylinder, which, as above explained, are made of sheet metal, serve to ensure -fiuidtightness and the gases are thus suitably kept in the active part of the drier.

The masonry envelope of the dryer will ad- 'vantageously consist of double or triple envelopes with a circulation of the hot gases therein after lpassage of said gases at 58, so as to ensure the heating of the inner walls and thus to avoid the loss of calories that generally results from absorption by radiation. When issuing from the drying cylinder, the materials are poured into hole 66, where they are caught by drum '68 provided with two outlet orifices 60 l and 10.

This sorting drum 66 has its envelope made of a screen so devised that all the matters of a given size pass therethrough and are led to outlet 69 through which theyl are evacuated. On the contrary, the matters that have not passed through the screen are brought to out- Y let 10, disposed above conveyor 1I, which brings these matters to the place where they are again utilized.

The working of the whole clarifying and drying device takes place in the following manner, which will be described chiefly with reference tol Fig. 1 of the drawings. A

Water to be clarified is brought through a conduit 4 and is distributed onto the first iltering bed which moves with a very slow continuous movement in the direction of arrow F. (By way of example, the velocity of this ltering bed may vary between 0.5 and 2 metres per hour.)

' while sowing through thenrst mtermg bed. the i `water to be clarified deposits in this bed a certain amountiof matters'which clog the clinker of which this first bed is made. This clinker is poured into a hole' 12, from where it is taken and conveyed by a conveyor 13 to conduit 6l;

through which it is fed to the drying cylinder'.

In' this cylinder, the matters are treated as above explained, after vwhich they are conveyed to sorting drum 6I. 'I'he matters that comply with the requirements of size are poured through outlet 10 onto conveyor 1l, which leads -them to a second conveyor 14 which suitably passed through the walls of sorting drum $8,

such as manure that has been dried, are evac- Iuated through outlet 69.

Afterpassing through the erst altering bed,

water'passes through the second filtering bed,

the filtering Vmatter of which is therefore more or less clogged. The tanks that contain these filtering matters can be examined by withdraw- -ing them from the apparatus by means of capstans 23.

The elements that have been found to be polluted are removed and replaced by fresh elements. Their handling will be facilitated byY- the provision of crane 28 which serves to convey the polluted elements above hole 12 into which they are emptied, the materials being then conveyed to the drier with a view to regenerating them.

A platform 15 (Fig. 2) is provided opposite conveyor 14 and the elements of the tanks l1 of the second lterlng bed will be filled with fresh or regenerated material on this platform.

It results from the foregoing description that the same filtering matters can be used for an indefinite period of time after being successively dried and regenerated. l

While I have described what I deem to be a practical and efficient embodiment of the present invention, it should be well understood that I do not wish tobe limited thereto as there might be changes made'in the arrangement, disposition and form of the parts without departing from the principle of the present invention as comprehended within the scope of the appended claims. i,

What I claim is:

'1. An apparatus for clarifying water which comprises, in combination, at least two ltering beds disposed above one anotherso that water is caused to now successively therethrough, means for continuously moving the upper bed with a translatoryl motion with respect to the second bed, an inclined perforated hollow cylinder adapted to rotate in a continuous manner, means for feeding the matter of the upper filtering bed into said cylinder after its passage over the second filtering bed, a furnace, means for causing gases from said furnace to flow through said cylinder, a perforated sorting drum connected with the outlet end of said cylinder and adapted to eliminate theA matters that pass through the perforations thereof, and a conveyor connected with the outlet of said drum for carrying the matters that have not passed through the perforations of said drum to the end of said rst mentioned bed.

2. An apparatus for clarifying water which comprises, in. combination, at least two'iiltering beds disposed above one another so that water is caused to ow successively therethrough, means 'for continuously .moving the upper bed with a .translatory motion with respect to the second cylinder, sorting means, connected with the out- "(5 let end of said cylinder, for separating the matter issuing from said end of the cylinder into elements below a certain size and elements above a certain size, means for evacuating the first mentioned elements and means for feeding the second mentioned elements back to the first mentioned filtering bed.

3. An apparatus for clarifying water which comprises, in combination, at least two ltering beds disposed one above the otherl so that water is caused to flow successively therethrough, means for continuously moving the `upper bed with a translatory motion with respect to the second bed, an inclined perforated hollow cylinder adapted to rotate in a continuous manner, means for feeding matter oi the upper filtering bed into said cylinder after its passage over the second filtering hed, a furnace, means for causing gases from said furnace to flow through said cylinder, a perforated inclined sorting drum connected at its upper end with the outlet end ofsaid cylinder, a hopper located under said drum so as to eliminate the matters that pass through the perforations of saidy drum, and a conveyor connected with the lower end of said drum for carrying the matters fed by said drum to the end of said first mentioned ltering bed. 4. An apparatus for clarifying water, which comprises, in combination, at least two beds of filtering matters disposed one above the other so.

that water is caused to flow successively therethrough, an endless conveyor with perforated bottom supporting the upper bed, means for continuously moving said conveyor so that a portion thereof moves with a translator-y motion above the second bed, an inclined perforated hollow cylinder adapted to rotate in a continuous manner, means for feeding the filtering matter from said conveyor into said cylinder after its passage over the second filtering bed, a furnace, means for causing gases from said furnace to flow through said cylinder, a perforated inclined sorting drum connected at its upper end with the outlet end of said cylinder, a hopper located under said drum adapted to eliminate the matters that pass through the perforations 20 of said drum, and a conveyor connected with the lower end of said drum for carrying the matters fed by said drum to the first mentioned conveyor I at the part thereof where it begins to move above the second mentioned bed.

PIERRE REN GIRAUD. 

